Ethical issues remain at the forefront of all attorneys’ daily practice. With the new year comes an opportunity to examine those practices that may have become routine, but are subject to evolving ethical requirements. It is against this backdrop that we present the first in a series of two articles highlighting how attorneys can best navigate ethical pitfalls in the practice of law.  The second publication is due for release in June.

Time to Update Your Retainer Agreements

At the outset of every legal matter, the execution of a retainer agreement has become a matter of routine. Although specific writing requirements vary depending on the jurisdiction, it is clear that the use of a specifically tailored writing delineating the scope and nature of services to be provided can avoid numerous issues as the matter progresses. The retainer should leave little doubt about what the attorney will and will not be doing for a client.

Limiting the Scope of Representation